'Lone wolf attackers'

Truck killer radicalised by jihadi vids after leaving army. Driver found dead in Tesla explosion was also a soldier

- CHRISTOPHER BUCKTIN

NEW Orleans killer Shamsud-Din Jabbar fought in America's War on Terror but turned to Islamic State after his life fell apart.

US Army veteran Jabbar swore allegiance to the Islamist group hours before he mowed down a crowd of New Year's Eve revellers on the city's famous Bourbon Street, killing 14.

Last night, as details began to emerge of the victims, authorities were piecing together his journey from soldier to jihadi terrorist.

Jabbar, who was shot dead by police after his attack just after 3.15am, had become disillusioned when his dream of real estate success turned sour and left him living in squalor.

Sources said that as the 42-yearold's life began to unravel following a second bitter divorce, he became radicalised online.

He originally planned to kill relatives and friends but was worried that coverage of his crimes would not focus on what he called "war between the believers and disbelievers".

As well as his personal problems, sources say Jabbar became increasingly distant and disillusioned with the US mission in the Middle East after witnessing the human toll of the conflict when he was deployed to Afghanistan in 2009.

Friends and family describe a once-dedicated soldier who returned home struggling and had complained about the challenges of life as a veteran.

Separated from his wife and unable to pay the bills, he was then forced into a rundown trailer park where it is understood his radicalisation was accelerated.

Authorities believe Jabbar, who was originally from Texas and lived in Houston, used his military expertise to prepare for the attack, acting as a lone wolf and not part of a terror network as the FBI previously stated.

Investigators are still looking into whether the deadly attack in New Orleans is linked to the detonation of a Tesla Cybertruck outside a Trump hotel in Las Vegas later in the day.